Here is how to install them.
1. Open the Microsoft PXT Block Editor https://pxt.microbit.org/?lang=en and then click on New Project
2. Click on Advanced and then on Add Package
3. Type “Bit Bot”into the search box and press enter.
4. Click on the BitBot box. The package should be downloaded. When it has finished you should see two extra options in the blocks menu:
If you can see these options, you are ready to get started!
When you turn on the Bit:Bot, make sure you are holding it up in the air. If it is on a flat surface when you turn it on, the Micro:bit starts in “Pairing Mode” and your code won’t run
LEDs
The Bit:Bot has 12 coloured lights called “Neopixels” or LEDs (say El – Ee – Dees). Each LED can display any of 16 million colours! In the next part we will try out the LEDs.
1. Use the “Set All LEDs” block from the “BitBot > Leds” menu to set all Leds to a colour
2. Download the code and copy it to your microbit. Turn the BitBot on. Do all the lights turn red?
3. Try making all the pixels change to a second colour. Test your code. Did you see both colours?
Hint: You’ll need to wait before changing to the second colour
Can you make the pixels flash? Hint: you’ll need a loop
4. You can set the colour of a single LED as well. Try the block below:
5. If you want the lights to “move”, you can use a loop and the “Rotate LEDs” block.
Try creating different moving patterns by lighting up more than one pixel, or even using the “Set LED rainbow” block.
Well done! You have successfully set up the Block Editor environment for the Bit:Bot and created some cool lighting effects. Next time we’ll get the wheels turning…